The Chinese "Long March-7A" rocket exploded during the launch of a communications satellite
Kyiv • UNN
The Chinese Long March-7A launch vehicle exploded one and a half minutes after liftoff from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, losing the Zhongxing-4B communications satellite. The causes of the accident are being determined; this is the second failure of the rocket family this year.
The Chinese Long March 7A launch vehicle suffered an accident during the launch of the Zhongxing-4B communications satellite from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on Monday, August 10. Bloomberg reported this, writes UNN.
Details
According to footage from the launch livestream, the rocket exploded approximately a minute and a half after liftoff. A communications satellite was on board; no people were part of the mission.
China's state-run Xinhua news agency confirmed the loss of the mission. The cause of the accident is currently being determined.
The Long March 7A made its debut in 2020. Its first launch ended in failure, but afterward the rocket successfully completed more than ten missions.
China is preparing a new lunar launch
This is already the second failure of a Long March-family rocket this year. In January, the Long March 3B rocket failed to successfully place the Shijian-32 satellite into orbit.
In the coming weeks, China plans to use a Long March 5 rocket to launch the Chang'e-7 mission. It involves sending a robotic spacecraft to the Moon's south pole.
The Long March 5 shares some equipment with the Long March 7A, but it is currently unknown whether the August 10 accident will affect the schedule of the future lunar mission.